Police in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district busted a hawala and GST fraud network worth about ₹24 crore. Two men, Shahid Ahmed and Amit Gupta, both 38, were arrested for using fake companies and mule accounts to move illegal money. The scam came to light when a small zari artisan suddenly got a ₹1.5 crore income tax notice for transactions he did not know about. Bareilly Superintendent of Police (South) Anshika Verma said, "The accused targeted small traders and daily wage workers, offering to help them expand their businesses or enter export markets." The police found that the accused collected identity documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards to open bank accounts. They created shell companies such as "Satya Sahab Traders" in the artisan's name. "About ₹24 crore in suspicious transactions were routed through this firm within a year," Verma added. Other fake firms like Mahavir Trading Company, Mahakal Traders, and Sumit Traders only existed on paper. They were used to make false bills and invoices to cheat on GST. SP Verma said, "At first glance, it appears to be a GST fraud, but the movement of funds suggests the possible involvement of a hawala network." A man from neighbouring Shahjahanpur district is also being investigated. The two accused were caught in the Bhuta area of Bareilly. Police recovered several mobile phones and cash from them. "A case has been registered under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other laws," the police said. Investigations continue to find more people involved in the network.